Gay Couples Prepare To Go to European Court 
by Malcolm Thornberry
365Gay.com Newscenter
European Bureau Chief


(London)  At least two same-sex couples are preparing to go to the European Court to have gay marriage declared legal throughout the European Union.

One case is being planned by a French couple, the other an Austrian couple.

The Austrian case involves a German who married an American in the Netherlands.  When the German man decided to move to Austria, his American spouse was refused Austrian residence and working permits. 

"That's a clear violation of EU law", said Kurt Krickler, the General Secretary of Hosi, the Austrian gay rights organization.


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Remove 'Pro Homosexual Judges' From Gay Marriage Case Arkansas Gov. Told 
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff


(Little Rock, Arkansas) A conservative group backing a ban on same-sex marriage wants Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to remove two Supreme Court justices.

The state's high court is hearing a challenge to a ballot item that would place the ban in the Arkansas Constitution.  The Arkansas Marriage Amendment Committee claims the two justices are biased and should not be allowed to hear the case.


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Log Cabin to Bush: No endorsement for you

After months of being shut out by the conservative faction of the Republican Party, national gay political group Log Cabin Republicans has decisively voted not to endorse President George W. Bush for reelection.

The 22-2 vote, a sweeping change in tradition, was decided by the group's 25-member national board on Tuesday night. Log Cabin will not endorse any candidate for president, as its bylaws allow the group only to endorse or withhold support for the Republican Party's choice.

In a written statement, Log Cabin's national leadership underscored the gay and lesbian group's continuing commitment to the Republican Party.


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Canada dismisses Pope's marriage stance
Ben Townley, Gay.com UK


Canada has said the issue of same-sex marriage will be resolved in the country's parliament, and away from the religious polemic offered by the Pope.

The comments come after the pontiff, who heads the Catholic Church, once again called for a block to marriage rights for lesbian and gay couples.

He said last weekend that marriage is intended to facilitate the bringing up of children, and that is why it is afforded specific rights and responsibilities.

He added that to give the same rights to lesbian and gay couples is a "misunderstanding" of the sacrament.


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COP PLEADS NOT GUILTY IN GAY STUDENT'S KILLING
The Associated Press


A former police officer accused of killing a college student who had once been his lover pleaded not guilty Tuesday in the man's death.

Steven A. Rios, 27, is charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the June 5 death of Jesse James Valencia, a student at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Police say Rios, who is married, acknowledged having a sexual relationship with Valencia. They said Rios killed Valencia after the student threatened to tell the police chief about the relationship.


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ACLU helping fight amendment banning same-sex marriages
The Clarion-Ledger

Mississippi's American Civil Liberties Union is providing support to gay and lesbian groups and passing out literature regarding a proposed amendment to the state
constitution that would define marriage as between a man and a woman.

ACLU Executive Director Nsombi Lambright told The Clarion-Ledger Editorial Board on Tuesday that some people in the gay and lesbian community fear retaliation if they speak out against the amendment.

"We feel that the constitution should never be a tool to write discrimination into," said Lambright, who opposes the amendment. "It should, if changed, enhance constitutional freedoms and not limit them."

The amendment on the Nov. 2 ballot, also says a marriage between two people of the same gender that took place in another state or country, regardless of when it took place, will not be recognized in this state. Mississippi has banned same-sex marriages since 1997.


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Spilka: Gay marriage vote sparked death threat
By Michael Kunzelman / News Staff Writer


Weeks before she voted against a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, state Rep. Karen Spilka received a death threat from a caller who apparently supported the ban, the Ashland Democrat disclosed yesterday.

     Spilka, who did not return repeated telephone calls from a MetroWest Daily News report in the weeks leading up to the Legislature's historic vote, said she decided to refrain from publicly commenting on the controversial issue because she feared for her family's safety.

     Spilka broke her silence in March, when she explained why she opposes the constitutional amendment during a speech on the House floor.

     "I don't think I was holding anything back from my constituents," she said. "If (constituents) called or e-mailed me, I let them know where I stood. I just didn't want anything in the paper right away."